SENIORS COPING WITH CHANGE GROUP

Draha Lafferty and Linda Williams Erdahl

Twice a year, in the spring and in the fall, the Regional Geriatric Program Day Hospital at St. Mary's of the Lake Hospital site, Providence Continuing Care Centre in Kingston, offers a unique program called Seniors Coping with Change. For six consecutive weeks on Tuesday afternoons, a group of ten to twelve seniors meet to share the ways they have learned to deal with life’s ups and downs. Co-leaders, Psychometrist Linda Williams-Erdahl and Social Worker Draha Lafferty, facilitate the program, which has been offered since 1996 and has become increasingly popular. The program was originally started to help seniors understand and cope more positively with the changes that were occurring in their lives.

Seniors attending the program have much in common. All have been involved with the Day Hospital, attending twice a week for an average of four to six weeks and have been followed by a multidisciplinary health team which includes medicine, nursing, pharmacy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work and psychology, plus support staff activities. Change is another thing they have in common. Some of these changes have been expected, such as retirement or eagerly anticipated, such as the birth of a grandchild or great-grandchild. But some of the changes have been decidedly unwanted, such as a decline in their health or ability to manage independently at home, which may have precipitated their referral to Day Hospital. What they also have in common is the wisdom or understanding that comes from living a full life with all of its responsibilities, changes, challenges, sorrows and joys.

The six sessions of the program have both an educational and supportive component. Each session focuses on an area of change that most seniors experience, including changes in health, lifestyle, and roles. The most difficult change that most have experienced has been one of loss, especially the death of a spouse, sibling or other loved ones. Participants are also redefining themselves as a “senior”. Today’s seniors are healthier and living longer than previous generations, but have few or no positive examples of people older than themselves to show them what eighty or ninety “looks like”. It is helpful to connect with other seniors to share insights into what successful aging involves.

Group members get a chance to share ideas that have worked for them in dealing with life’s challenges. They discuss Blah Busters, which are actions or things to do, that can help during times of stress and feeling low. These suggestions may include, “do a crossword puzzle”, “talk to someone about how you are feeling”, or “get out regularly - try for at least once a week”. They also compile a list of Power Thinking, positive self-statements or things to say to oneself to get through difficult times or to stay motivated. Group members often come up with suggestions such as, “I’ll take just one step at a time.”; “Others are worse off than me.”; “If my friend can do it, I can do it too.”. The group also shares Ways of the Wise, tips or advice that have worked for them over their lifetime. “Reach out to others when you need help, but think for yourself about what is right for you.” says one senior while another encourages the group to “Live in the present, enjoy this day!” and a third suggests that you “Never go to bed with a chip on your shoulder.”

In each session there is also a chance to learn relaxation techniques together such as controlled breathing and imaging. Change is stressful and learning specific ways to relax can make a big difference in being able to cope with stress.

The sessions are positive and upbeat and offer skills training, education, information on community resources, socialization and the opportunity for participation -- to give and receive support. All sessions end with a social time.

Over seventy-five people have now completed this program. Feedback has been very positive. Based on information that was collected during the initial few groups, most participants felt that they had improved in their ability to listen and to speak their mind, in their feelings of belonging and shared experience, and in their belief that they had helped someone else. Participants also noted an increase in their self-esteem, their sense of belonging to their peer group, and felt that they had increased control over their responses to life. They reported knowing more coping skills, knowing more about the normal changes that people experience as they get older and having some practical information on community resources. They appreciated improving their communication skills and learning relaxation methods. Feedback included comments such as, “I enjoyed listening to others who have had similar experiences.” and “I thought I really helped someone else for a change.” The only negative comments were that the sessions were not long enough, that there were too few sessions or that there should have been more reunions.

At the closing session, each participant is given a compiled list of Blah Busters, Power Thinking, and Ways of the Wise. Some of the group members put these lists on their refrigerators to serve as a reminder of what they learned in the program. Some participants stayed connected with each other after the end of the program.

It is anticipated that the Seniors Coping with Change program will continue to be offered twice a year in Day Hospital and that seniors will continue to share their wisdom with others.

Draha Lafferty is a Social Worker and Linda Williams Erdahl is a Psychometrist working in the Day Hospital of the Southeastern Regional Geriatric Program.